Hepatitis Awareness Month, recognized every May, is an opportunity to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and associated health issues, including the syndemic relationship between opioid use and viral hepatitis. Key insights from 2023 opioid use and Hepatitis C mortality data in the United States include:
- Eight of the ten states with the highest opioid dispensing rates in 2023 were in the South.
- Arkansas had the highest state-level opioid dispensing rate (71.5 dispensed prescriptions per 100 people).
- Norton City, VA reported the highest county-level opioid dispensing rate (403.9 per 100 people).
- Between 2020 and 2023, 33 out of 37 states with calculable results saw a decrease in the proportion of overdose deaths attributed to injection drug use.
- West Virginia continues to experience the highest overdose mortality rate in the U.S. (77.8 deaths per 100,000 people).
- Oklahoma led the nation in Hepatitis C mortality in 2023 (11 deaths per 100,000 people).
- The West had the highest regional Hepatitis C mortality rate (5.3 per 100,000 people).
Viral Hepatitis: An Overview
Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. Millions of people in the U.S. are living with viral hepatitis, and thousands of new cases are reported every year. Despite this, many remain unaware of their status.
The ongoing overdose crisis continues to intersect with viral hepatitis, particularly among people who inject drugs who may face increased risk for Hepatitis C transmission. While many states saw declines in the proportion of overdose deaths attributed to injection drug use between 2020 and 2023, regional disparities remain, underscoring the continued need for integrated prevention, screening, harm reduction, and linkage-to-care efforts.
Approximately 1 in 2 people with Hepatitis B and 1 in 3 people with Hepatitis C do not know they have the virus, preventing them from accessing lifesaving care that can manage Hepatitis B and cure Hepatitis C. Without diagnosis, people with Hepatitis B are at risk for serious and potentially fatal health complications, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. As of 2016, nearly half of liver cancer cases were attributable to Hepatitis C.
Viral hepatitis disproportionately impacts underserved communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent about 5% of the U.S. population, but make up almost half of all people living with Hepatitis B. Other disproportionately affected groups include American Indian/Alaskan Natives, non-Hispanic Black people, people who inject drugs, people living with HIV, people experiencing homelessness, and people born between 1945 and 1965. Additionally, the highest rates of Hepatitis C have been observed in Eastern and Southeastern states, emphasizing the need for region-specific public health efforts.
Post 1
In 2023, 8 of the 10 states with the highest opioid dispensing rates were in the South, highlighting continued regional disparities in opioid prescribing across the U.S. Arkansas reported the highest state-level opioid dispensing rate, with 71.5 dispensed prescriptions per 100 people.
Understanding these patterns is critical to addressing the intersecting epidemics of opioid use and viral hepatitis. Explore the latest data and learn more at HepVu.org.
#HepatitisAwarenessMonth #ViralHepatitis #PublicHealth #HepVu
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In 2023, 8 of the 10 states with the highest opioid dispensing rates were in the South, and Arkansas reported the nation’s highest rate (71.5 prescriptions per 100 people). Explore the data at HepVu.org. #HepatitisAwarenessMonth
Post 2
Drug overdose mortality remains a critical public health issue across the U.S. In 2023, West Virginia continued to experience the highest narcotic overdose mortality rate in the country, with 77.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
While many states saw declines in the proportion of overdose deaths attributed to injection drug use between 2020 and 2023, the ongoing overdose crisis continues to intersect with viral hepatitis and other health challenges. Learn more through HepVu’s latest data resources.
#HepatitisAwarenessMonth #OverdosePrevention #ViralHepatitis #PublicHealth
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In 2023, West Virginia continued to report the highest narcotic overdose mortality rate in the U.S. at 77.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Explore the latest data and trends at HepVu.org. #HepatitisAwarenessMonth
Post 3
Untreated hepatitis C can lead to serious and life-threatening health outcomes, including liver cancer and liver failure. In 2023, Oklahoma reported the highest Hepatitis C mortality rate in the nation at 11 deaths per 100,000 people.
Regional disparities in hepatitis outcomes underscore the importance of expanding access to screening, treatment, harm reduction, and linkage-to-care services nationwide. Learn more at HepVu.org.
#HepatitisAwarenessMonth #HepatitisC #HealthEquity #PublicHealth
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In 2023, Oklahoma had the highest Hepatitis C mortality rate in the U.S. at 11 deaths per 100,000 people. Expanding access to testing and treatment remains critical. Learn more at HepVu.org. #HepatitisAwarenessMonth
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Learn from Experts
- 2025 Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Report Shows Progress, Ongoing Strain
- Dr. Carolyn Wester on HCV Diagnosis and Treatment
- A Data-Driven Path to Hepatitis C Elimination: Jennifer Fiddner on Allegheny County, PA’s Community Response
- A Conversation with Dr. Melissa Wardle: Viral Hepatitis, Surveillance, and the Power of Public Health
